Goldman Ismail Secures Important Asylum Victory

In August of 2019, Goldman Ismail secured an important victory in a pro bono case on behalf of asylum seekers escaping cartel-related violence and persecution in Mexico. After over two years of case work-up, extensive briefing, and a full merits hearing, attorneys Tarek Ismail, Alan Littmann, Allyson Julien, and Betsy Farrington successfully persuaded an immigration judge in Chicago to grant their clients’ asylum applications. This ruling allows the asylum seekers, a young mother and her minor daughter, to remain in the United States and to apply for permanent residence in one year with a path to naturalized citizenship. This decision is especially notable given the recent changes in asylum law that have further complicated many of the grounds that previously existed for the granting of asylum.

Goldman Ismail accepted referral of this case from the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC), a legal aid organization dedicated to protecting human rights and access to justice for all immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers.